Solving the vocations crisis by removing the obstacle of student loans.
Mater Ecclesiae
Daniel Godzieba Dominican Friars
Alexander McDougall
Madison Lapke SOLT Sisters Oklahoma State Univ.
Christina Sheehan
Michael Gensler Franciscan Friars of
Hayden Cowart CFR Franciscans U.T. Austin
Nicholas Kompar Community of St. John Marian University
Karla Prospero-Molina Monasterio Madre de Dios Boston Conservatory
Caitlyn Bell Mount St. Mary’s Abbey New York University
Caroline Chase
Poor Clare Colettines Belmont Abbey College
The man discerning the priesthood relies on the gracious and loving support of the community, whether it be spiritual prayers or financial gifts. You are personally a part of my discernment process and I am forever grateful for your support because without you I could not do it.
Catherine Tanaka Franciscan Sisters Franciscan University
Derek Cossio
Discalced Carmelites Holy Apostles College
Gregory Downs CFR Franciscans Franciscan University
Kami Beliard Sisters of Life George Mason University
Candidates must be debt-free to enter religious formation.
Praise be Jesus Christ! I am so grateful for your faithfulness and generosity! Thank you so much for playing a part in the Lord’s work of removing obstacles so that I may run towards my vocation with the Sisters of Life.
Gerard Marchand Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter | Ave Maria Univ.
Timothy Hughes Salesians of Don Bosco Pace University
Jacob Moylan | Byzantines of Duchovny Dom Arizona State University
Lisa Nguyen Lovers of the Holy Cross Regis University
Nathan Jackson
St. Bernard Abbey Jacksonville State Univ.
Jessica Nguyen
Houston Dominicans University of St. Thomas
Emma Geis | Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma Franciscan University
Nashville Dominicans Univ. of British Columbia
By the Lord’s desire and greater will than my own, I was led to go to college. But as a Carmelite, my degree in Theology will only be of benefit to me.
I am incredibly grateful for each of the donors to Mater Ecclesiae Fund for Vocations. Without your incredible generosity, my opportunity to further discern a vocation to religious would have been delayed, and may not have come to fruition. With your support, I am able to enter into formation.
Cecelia Fuller Tutzing Benedictines Creighton University
Mikaila Kruse Fairfield Carmelites Holy Apostles College
Max Travis Franciscan Friars TOR Marian University
John Joseph Donnelly Clear Creek Abbey Univ. of Rhode Island
Teaya Cabael
Student loans are the #1 obstacle to Catholic religious vocations.
We are solving the vocations crisis one grant at a time.
The Fund for Vocations is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to solving the vocations crisis by removing the obstacle of student loan debt for young men and women who have been accepted into priestly and religious life, but are unable to enter due to their student loans.
Candidates for religious life — our future priests and sisters — must be debt-free to enter formation so that they can make a vow of poverty upon ordination or solemn vows. Up to 50% are barred from entry due to student loans.
We have carefully designed our grant program so that men and women who seek to answer God’s call can do so immediately, without delay or distractions. We assume monthly student loan payments while an aspirant is in formation thereby enabling them to enter formation right away.
When a newly minted priest or sister takes final vows, we pay off their loan balance within five years. If they discern out, they simply reassume their monthly loan payments, which we have kept up to date. In other words:
We make grants quickly, and then pay debt slowly.
That way, formation begins sooner, and they are free from distraction or pressure—even selfimposed— to persevere (because someone has paid off their loans) if God is calling them elsewhere. We designed our process to advance our mission: fostering healthy vocations.
Why partner with us?
“The Fund for Vocations may well be the answer to our prayers for an increase in vocations. The Lord often asks for our cooperation in manifesting His grace; the more we do, the more He seems to pour out His blessings. A generous response of the faithful to the very real problem of debt among those called to the priesthood and religious life will allow men and women to respond to God in a way otherwise impossible, enable their benefactors to share in the graces those vocations so abundantly produced, and will no doubt facilitate the generous response of future vocations.”
— Sr. Mary Gabriel, SV Sisters of Life
